Page 57 of Love Off Course

“Not a compliment, bird boy.”

“I took it as one.”

“That’s because you’re an idiot.”

“An idiot who’s not easy and kisses like the devil.”

His lips press against mine as he squeezes my ass, pulling me closer. I gasp at the friction of his dick that’s hard and at attention between us. Our tongues tangle as he kisses me with more passion than I’ve felt in my entire life.

Why can’t this be easy for us?

Why couldn’t I have met him back in California? Someone local? Meeting him before our flight and then getting trapped here for a few days was all wrong, yet it feels so right.

I’m not a dreamer. I’m a realist.

This won’t work so lamenting over that fact doesn’t do anything but bring unnecessary heartache my way. I’ve had enough heartache in this life.

Pulling away from our kiss, I study his handsome face. Men shouldn’t look this good. It’s unfair to womankind.

“Want to snorkel?”

His words kill the sexy vibe and I’m thankful. He promised me sights and I intend on cashing in on that promise.

He promised me love too.

My heart wants to cash in on that as well.

“You have to eat, woman,”Camilo barks out.

“I’m busy.”

“Five more minutes.”

“Okay, Dad.”

When I stick my tongue out at him, he laughs. We’ve been snorkeling for hours. There are tons of tiny creatures at the bottom of this lagoon. Even the rocks are growing with colorfulplants beneath the surface. It’s so beautiful and I can’t get enough of it. I want to see it all.

Eventually, my grumbling stomach wins. Camilo must have gone up to his Jeep while I was swimming and brought down some towels. We wrap up in them and sit on a sunny rock, side by side. I lean my head on his shoulder and stare at the sun as it begins to dip toward the horizon. The salty air smells extra potent today. I want to capture this moment and keep it forever. It’s so…peaceful.

“Want to go dancing?”

“I’m soaked to the bone,” I say, tilting my head up to look at him. “I have no makeup on. And I wore sneakers that are now filthy. I’m in no shape for dancing.”

“We don’t have time,” he murmurs and my heart sinks at the reminder. “We just have now and it’s running out. Who cares if they see you looking like a drowned rat?”

I snort and knock my shoulder into his. “Fine. At least my looking like a drowned rat will keep you from trying to fall in love with me.”

“Too late,” he teases. “Been there. Done that. Have the shirt to prove it.”

“You’re such a weirdo,” I complain. “Let’s go. Take me dancing. Time’s a ticking, handsome pilot.”

Instead of giving me some smartass comment about being handsome, his features fall slightly. Like my words have saddened him.

“We better hurry then.”

It takes a good half hour for him to drive us to a small town with several restaurants and one really busy bar. We park up the road and hold hands as we walk. My hair is pulled into a messy half-dry bun that’s frizzy as hell now. I probably look like a hot mess, but Camilo keeps cutting his eyes over at me, watching melike I’m anything but. His stares are so…intense. And I’m not hating them at all.

He pays the cover for us to get in before sliding his palm to my lower back, guiding me over to a couple of open barstools at the bar. First, he orders us some beers for the free beer snacks—here it’s fresh fish soup and chips—before handing me a menu.

---